One study found public restrooms harbor skin and gut bacteria — thousands of them, in fact — that are easily transmittable by touch: When you flush the toilet, say, or turn on the faucet to wash your hands.

Among their damage, germs can produce toxins that create symptoms of common infections including fever, vomiting, and diarrhea.

That said, not all bacteria are bad. Your gut houses about 100 trillion good bacteria that (among other roles) support your immune system, help digest food, produce several vitamins, and inhibit the growth of bad bacteria.

Germs thrive wherever they can find warmth, food, and moisture. That might be on food, on the ground, in the air, rodents, and unclean water. Even sharing a towel or clothing can transmit germs.

And a primary place where germs love to hang out is in the bathroom, especially public restrooms.

In one sense, the invention of toilets (and restrooms) traded one set of problems for another. Untilindoor, flushing toilets came about in the 1850s, things were… muchless than sanitary. Toilets made life more pleasant, but they also prevented waste species from transferring from person to person. Toilets literally saved millions of lives. So did sinks: They made removing germs from our hands much easier.

But restrooms also created a breeding ground for germs, especially among public restrooms that see a lot of foot traffic.

In a Scientific American article, Rob Dunn notes that beginning in the 1960s, an entire field of science aimed to understand the story of bathroom bacteria. Among what that research revealed:

When you flush the toilet with the lid up, bacteria can go up to six feet through the air (and yes, land on your toothbrush).

Bacteria are present all over the bathroom (though they differ between wet versus dry places).

The most contaminated surface in public restrooms might not be what you imagine: Sinks. Interestingly, the toilet seat and toilet fell below the toilet paper dispenser, side walls, and trash can among surfaces harboring bacteria.

Do Bathroom Germs Cause Humans Harm?

These germs — on the sink, toilet, or anywhere in public bathrooms —get into your body through your mouth, nose, skin, eyes, and genitals.

While they can move around (say, from one part of your body to another), they need something to move them around. That could be your hands, blood, water, or dust.

Once those disease-causing germs get inside your body, they breed very quickly (a small number can quickly become millions) and create havoc.

Germs that feces carries (including salmonella and E. coli), for instance, can spread respiratory infections. A single gram of human feces (about the weight of a paper clip) can contain a staggering one trillion germs.

And how do these cold- and flu-triggering germs infect us? According to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), your hands spread about 80 percent of infections. Say, when someone touches a germ-ridden surface or gets infected by germ particles from sneezing, coughing, or touching.

Most germs can live on nearly any surface for days. You touch that surface when you, say, turn a bathroom door knob. Those germs linger on your hand, you subsequently rub your lip or pick up an apple, and bam. The next morning, you’re sneezing and feel achy.

What if you drop a food? An urban legend goes if you use it within five seconds, you’re safe to eat it.

A study at Clemson University tested this theory and concluded that dropping food and subsequently eating it may not make you sick. But it could, and there are over 46 million cases of American foodborne illnesses year. If a food lands on a microorganism on the floor, you’re probablyabout to put that microbe in your mouth.

Germs linger everywhere, but becoming aware of the most prevalent areas can help you minimize their impact on your health and wellbeing.

5 Ways to Minimize the Impact of Germs

Public restrooms harbor numerous germs including streptococcus, staphylococcus, E. coli and shigella bacteria, hepatitis A virus, the common cold virus, and various sexually transmitted organisms.

You needn’t become overly compulsive about this, but be mindful about high-germ environments (including public restrooms) and prepare accordingly with these five strategies.

Support your immune system. When your immune system works optimally, you’re less likely to be infected with bacteria, viruses, and whatever else lingers in public bathrooms or anywhere. A strong immune system requires:

A nutrient-dense diet including plenty of colorful plant foods, protein, and healthy fats. Our Core or Advanced Plans make the ideal way to get those nutrients.

Immune-supporting supplements including Daily Defense. Talk with your healthcare practitioner about other nutrients to support a strong immune system.

The right lifestyle strategies including optimal sleep, managing stress, the right exercise, and visiting your chiropractor regularly.

You’ll find more strategies to optimize your immune system in this article.

Ensure public restrooms have been cleaned often. That includes your office restroom, where you shop, and where you dine out. Be outspoken about maintaining cleanliness. Many public restrooms now have signed charts that ensure they get cleaned every hour or so. If you learn a public bathroom only gets cleaned less often, consider speaking with a store manager and (if possible) find another restroom.

Use touchless features whenever possible. Those include touchless faucets, soap dispensers, and hand dryers as well as self-flushing toilets. Some restrooms even allow you to open the door with your foot. The fewer surfaces you touch, the more you minimize being exposed to bacteria, viruses, and contaminants.

Be the example you want others to be. Good hygiene impacts others. You’re less likely to transfer germs, of course, but you also impact how others behave. When your children see you thoroughly wash your hands in the restroom, they’re more likely to follow your example.

Germs are highly contagious. Sharing is caring, but be mindful of anything contaminated with germs like towels, lipstick, food, drinks, and utensils. Cough into the crook of your elbow, and use a tissue when you sneeze. If you have a cough or fever, stay home!

While most bacteria are relatively harmless, some aren’t and can create illness or death. You simply want to be aware these bacteria exist and take precautionary measures to reduce their impact.

Disclaimer: The information provided on this website, by MaxLiving, is for general use only. Any statement or recommendation on this website does not take the place of medical advice nor is meant to replace the guidance of your licensed healthcare practitioner. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. MaxLiving information is and products are not intended to diagnose, cure, treat, or prevent any disease or provide medical advice. Decisions to use supplements to support your specific needs should be considered in partnership with your licensed healthcare practitioner.